The Stop Online Piracy Act (aka. S.O.P.A) has been making headlines around the web in recent weeks. The bill introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives aims to cut down illegal file sharing. However its critics say the bill will do more harm than good. Big tech companies such as Google and Facebook have come out in strong opposition, pointing out that if passed, the government would have the power to shut down websites and order search engines to modify search results to combat piracy. Opponents say that this infringes on basic online freedoms and will not actually solve the issue at hand. Proponents of the bill include the usual suspects, big entertainment companies such as Disney and the NFL, who have suffered great losses due to piracy and are desperate for a solution.

Today, many were surprised to read that domain registrar and web hosting company, Go Daddy is in support of the bill. A link to the announcement posted on the popular social sharing site Reddit has sparked outrage around the web and has called for a boycott of the company. But it is not just a small minority transferring personal domains, I Can Has Cheezeburger CEO Ben Huh has threatened  to move over 1000 domains off Go Daddy unless they change their stance on S.O.P.A.

Many web host competitors are taking advantage of the situation and offering discounts to Go Daddy customers to switch their hosting provider. Regardless of whether S.O.P.A. is good or not, the announcement by Go Daddy has created a PR nightmare. A quick look at Go Daddy’s twitter feed reveals a stream of public replies reading “We encourage you to visit our blog to view the details of our position on SOPA”. The company does not seem to be backing down from their position or doing anything to retain the customers they are loosing today.

The boycott has even spread past Go Daddy, YCombinator founder Paul Graham announced that he will be banning any companies supporting S.O.P.A. from his Demo Day events.

“If these companies are so clueless about technology that they think SOPA is a good idea, how could they be good investors?” — Paul Graham.

If the trend continues it may not only be unpopular to support S.O.P.A. but also unprofitable. Let us know what you think about the boycott in the comments, did Go Daddy make the right move by taking such a strong stance?

Links: Go Daddy Announcement | Reddit Post

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

If you have ever wondered what the archaic “check engine” light on your car’s dash means or how fuel-efficient your car actually is, Griffin has an app for that. The company, which is famous for cases and accessories, is now venturing into car technology with the CarTrip.

Griffin’s solution includes a free smart phone application and a CarTrip adapter that plugs into your car’s on-board diagnostic connector. For those not familiar, the connector is a port installed in all cars sold in the United States since 1996. It is usually located under the driver’s side dash near the brake pedals. The CarTrip is easy enough to install without help from a mechanic or auto service center. In the past this port was only by service technicians, but anyone with a smart phone can now connect to their car to record information such as fuel consumption, acceleration, top speed, and engine diagnostic codes.

Griffin’s mobile application, CleanDrive, analyzes numerous diagnostics to calculate a “Carbon Score” which indicates the environmental impact of your driving. The application visualizes data with graphics rather than raw numbers, making it easy to understand. The Bluetooth-enabled CarTrip wirelessly connects to smart phones so your car can remain cable-free. Also, this makes it possible to mount a phone to your dash to constantly monitor fuel efficiency while driving.

Griffin hopes this product will help drives save money and make them more environmentally friendly. The CarTrip will be available along with a companion iPhone app in the first quarter of this year for $90. An Android version of the app will be available in the second quarter.

Links: Griffin CarTrip | Griffin Technology

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Almost every smart phone on the market can easily upload media to social networks and photo sharing sites. However, the cameras on these devices are often mediocre at best. As a result, most people still prefer dedicated point-and-shoot or DSLR cameras for quality photography. Unfortunately, these lack networking capabilities, making it difficult to share captured photos while on the go. Eye-Fi solves this issue by letting users upload images from their camera through their phone’s 3G connection.

For those not familiar, Eye-Fi makes Wi-Fi enabled SD memory cards for regular cameras to wirelessly transfer images to their computers and social media sites. While we liked the concept of transferring images without cables, we found quite a few issues when reviewing the older Eye-Fi Explore Video last year. Setting up a Wi-Fi network required a computer and the card was nothing more than a storage device when no wireless access points were available. Furthermore their mobile application did no more than view the progress of uploads. Eye-Fi fixes these issues with a new mobile and tablet application.

The Eye-Fi direct mode feature converts the SD card into a wireless hotspot which enables smart phones to connect to the card and download any media files. Users can easily share images and videos with friends and family online even without a Wi-Fi connection nearby. The feature also makes it easy to view images on a large tablet or smart phone display, instead of having to squint at a small camera screen. Users can also backup media from the card to save space and eliminate the need to carry around multiple memory cards.

“New technology in the card combined with a free Eye-Fi app on a mobile device means consumers no longer have to compromise between rich, lifelike memories and saving or sharing those memories from anywhere.” – Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi

Eye-Fi offers four models ranging from $50 to $150, but with a little shopping around we found them on sites like Amazon for as little as $45. Representatives told us that the direct mode feature will be available as a free update for all current models later this year.

Buy: Eye-Fi Connect X2 ($45) | Eye-Fi Explore X2 ($81)
Links: EyeFi Comparison Chart | Eye.Fi

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Contour has always been known for their durable action sports camcorders. When we first saw their devices last year at CES 2010, we were impressed with the wearable camera’s 1080p video quality and its unique laser alignment system. This year, Contour is changing the game again with the new ContourGPS model.

The company’s new wearable camcorder goes above and beyond most alternatives. It features four different tall and standard video resolutions as well as still camera mode. While even previous models offered great quality, having to position the image blindly was often an issue. To solve that problem, Contour added the capability to stream a live video feed to smart phones over Bluetooth.

The mobile application also allows browsing through previously recorded clips and even delete unwanted videos to save space. This feature alone puts the ContourGPS ahead of most competing solutions. The app is currently awaiting approval from the Apple App Store. Contour representatives also told us they are working on an Android app, which should be available this spring.

In addition to their amazing mobile application, Contour also features a GPS module to track routes. Once a video is uploaded to the Contour website using the included software, users can seek through their videos by selecting a position on a map. Similar to apps such as RunKeeper, the GPS module will also track statistics such as speed and elevation. Contour’s software also makes it easy to make simple video edits to feature the best parts of your videos.

The ContourGPS is now available for $350 while the original ContourHD is also available for a lower $280 without the GPS tracking or live smartphone monitoring features. For those running out to get the new ContourGPS, keep in mind that the live view application is still awaiting approval, but should hopefully be available soon.

Buy: $350 for ContourGPS
Links: Contour.com

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Boxee’s impressive media center software first appeared in the dedicated D-Link Boxee Box last year. Although the application had been available to download for ages, the integrated hardware solution brought serious competition to the set-top wars as it had more capabilities than offerings from Roku and Apple but was more affordable than a Google TV. Boxee’s success continued to grow at CES 2011 as Iomega announced their own Boxee enabled device.

While the software on both devices is nearly identical, the hardware is quite different. Unlike D-Link’s unique chopped box style, Iomega’s iteration has a traditional rectangular box shape. While this design eliminates one of the most distinctive aspects of the original box, users can easily stack it with other equipment in tight spaces. Its nondescript style will draw little attention in any set up.

Inside lies the biggest difference between the devices. The Iomega Boxee has a large 1-2 terabyte hard drive for storing media unlike the storage-less Boxee Box. In addition to being a media playback device, it will also act as a network attached storage device allowing any computer to use it to fetch or store files. Even without a network connection, this Boxee can still play all your locally stored content. Iomega representatives told us that there will also be a hard disk free version for a lower price. For those not on the HDTV bandwagon, the Iomega Boxee features Composite outputs in addition to HDMI.

D-Link’s Boxee remote was highly regarded for its innovative two-sided design. With a simple direction pad on one side and a rubberized keyboard on the other, users could get the best of both worlds. However, this layout made it painstakingly difficult to navigate web pages. Also, while its RF technology allowed users the freedom to place the Boxee anywhere, it was incompatible most IR-based universal remotes. Iomega aims to solve these issues with their bigger, slightly clunky remote. The new directional pad doubles as a touch pad when browsing web sites and uses IR technology. When I had a chance to try the remote at CES 2011, it felt buggy and unresponsive, however we were assured it would a polished experience before launch.

The Iomega Boxee will be released in Feburary and come in three versions: no-disk, 1 terabyte, and 2 terabyte. They will be priced at $230, $300, and $350 respectively. All three versions are priced higher than D-Link’s $200 model. Potential buyers will need to decide whether the extra money is worth the local storage capabilities.

Links: Iomega Boxee | Boxee

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Each year camera manufacturers release new point-and-shoot models at the Consumer Electronics Show with more megapixels, thinner frames, and larger screens. While some may consider those major improvements, it begins to get repetitive for gadget enthusiasts. And that’s exactly why I find Casio’s new Tryx camera exciting.

Unlike the majority of new sleek point-and-shoot cameras that are incredible difficult to hold, the Tryx changes the game with a new twist and turn exoskeleton. The external frame hinges onto just one end of the Tryx camera and can rotate a full 360 degrees. This lets users hold and aim at just about any spot from almost any angle.

As for the technical specs, it features a 12 megapixel image sensor and can record 1080p videos. For storage, the camera supports the standard SD and SDHC memory cards. The standard goodies found on most recent digital cameras including auto focus, macro mode, spot metering, white balance settings, ISO settings, self timer, flash configuration, and a USB connector are available. The Casio Tryx even offers a HDR mode, which is becoming quite popular with photographers. The 2x zoom is the only noticeably lacking feature.

The TRYX also includes some neat features such as a motion activated timer mode. After configuring the camera to monitor for movement in a certain area of the LCD, groups can position themselves for the best shot without frantically trying to beat a timer. A simple wave of a hand or foot in the marked area will trigger the camera. Casio also allows users to select images and videos for posting on social media networks straight from the camera interface. Once connected to a computer, the camera will automatically upload images to compatible services such as Facebook, Flickr, or YouTube with no additional software.

Casio is clearly targeting a youth-oriented demographic with this new camera. With a premium $250 price, the twisting frame may seem confusing and unnecessary for many. However, I see the TRYX  as  a perfect fit for those with an active lifestyle who always want to snap photos or record a HD video in suboptimal settings. For those looking to buy one, the TRYX will be available this April.

Links: Casio TRYX

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Since Microsoft announced the Xbox Kinect, traditional game play has truly changed. Without the need for physical controllers, the Kinect opens the doors to a whole new market of casual gamers. With 8 million units sold since launch, the Xbox has finally started to invade Nintendo Wii sales.

As the Xbox 360 becomes the “go to place” for movies and music, Microsoft found that many customers often dreaded having to use the gaming controller to browse and navigate their TV. While it probably wasn’t an issue for gamers, others generally found the overwhelming number of buttons confusing. To solve that problem entirely, Microsoft now simplifies the entire experience with Kinect.

During the company’s CES 2011 keynote, Microsoft announced that users can now will soon be able to use the Kinect’s motion capabilities to control Zune, Netflix,  Hulu Plus, and ESPN without a controller. With simple hand gestures and voice commands users can browse through libraries of content and access full media playback controls. For example a user can say “Xbox, play song” or wave their hand in swiping motions to scan through a list of movies. This feature is not important for just the less technically savvy, but also for the disabled or physically impaired. In fact, the motion and voice controls even make it easy to control the Xbox when your hands are occupied. The Kinect would be one of the first accessibility tools for the TV. Microsoft says these new features will be available for existing and new customers as an update this spring.

It is important to note that Netflix, Hulu Plus, and ESPN are only available to Xbox LIVE subscribers. Which means an additional $50 per year to access premium content. For someone who does not game online or use the many other features of Xbox LIVE, the monthly cost can get quite pricey. In comparison, the PlayStation 3 and Wii charge no extra fees for online access. Until Microsoft waives Xbox LIVE fees accessing entertainment content, it’s hard to tell whether casual users will be willing to shell out the extra cash on top of  Netflix and Hulu Plus subscription costs.

Links: Microsoft Xbox Kinect

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Last year at CTIA 2010, we had a chance to take a look at Mophie’s Juice Pack Air for the iPhone 4. We were quite excited to see the new model given how much we liked the iPhone 3GS version which we reviewed last year. Their latest product, the Juice Pack Plus aims to outdo its predecessor. At full charge, it has enough power to more than double the battery life of the iPhone 4. Surprisingly, the Air and Plus have the almost the same dimensions and weight. The Plus model also features a rubberized shock proof band over the hard shell case for additional protection. The Air and Plus are available for $80 and $100, respectively.

Mophie also showed off its Marketplace mobile payment solution, which utilizes Intuit’s GoPayment service. Similar to Square, the Marketplace allows users to accept credit card payments with an iPhone 4. The device’s slim rubberized case looks great and adds little bulk to the iPhone. It’s a revamped version of the credit card reader that was originally available for the iPhone 3GS. However, unlike Square, which ships a free reader to all customers, the Mophie Marketplace costs a whopping $180.

Links: Mophie.com

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Looking back at 2003, a time before Digg and Reddit, the idea of sharing links was relatively new. Delicious offered an innovative solution to save and share bookmarks with friends. Fast forward seven years, Yahoo has shown signs of wanting to sell the service five years after its acquisition. The tech community is actively discussing the future of Delicious after a leaked slide from a Yahoo meeting enraged many users.

When Delicious launched, the concept of having users share bookmarks with one another and store links online was still new and revolutionary. Today with the vast offerings out there, Delicious has lost the fresh appeal it once had. Sites like StumbleUpon offer a fun experience to browse and discover new links. Other services such as Springpad help organize and sort everything from tasks to restaurant reviews to miscellaneous thoughts. Delicious seems rather rudimentary in comparison, it does not categorize links by anything more than simple tags, which have lost relevance. Even after many years, Yahoo failed to integrate a commenting system to engage users in discussion.

Yahoo’s decision to sell Delicious is not unwarranted given its decreasing significance over the years. Yahoo is partly to blame for this, as Delicious has always remained an outsider at the company. Since the acquisition, there have been few features added to the service and very little integration with the rest of Yahoo. For instance, there are no “share on Delicious” buttons anywhere on Yahoo properties. In addition, with similar services including Yahoo Bookmarks and Yahoo Buzz simply added to the loss of focus and confusion for users. In fact, Yahoo listed both for “Sunset” as well.

In response to Yahoo’s news, some have taken it upon themselves to make their own Delicious clone: 1r7. Remarkably, that clone was created in a mere ten hours, demonstrating the bare-bone nature of the service. Had Yahoo innovated the Delicious brand and tightly integrated it with the rest of the Yahoo network, it would not have been so easily replaceable. This sunset has possibly caused a loss in customer confidence in all of Yahoo. Many tech pundits have even expressed concern to continue storing images in Flickr. While it is unfortunate that Delicious may now have to shut down, it is hard to tell how long the site would have survived with its dwindling user base. For now, Delicious users can only hope that the service can find a new home.

Links: Delicious.com | Delicious Blog Response

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

To stay true to the product’s minimalist nature, the developers rebuilt the entire framework to improve efficiency. For instance, Dropbox claims a reduction in memory usage by up to 50%, however I didn’t notice any change in RAM consumption on my Windows 7 laptop. The service hovered around 30 MB before and after the update. In addition the installer size for Mac OS is now 20% smaller because Dropbox runs solely on Cocoa, Apple’s native programming API, allowing for a seamless experience.

Another big new feature is selective sync. This tool will come in handy for customers that use Dropbox with devices that have limited storage space. Users can now exclude syncing of specific folders in their Dropbox. For instance, a 5 GB folder can remain on the Dropbox cloud without having to reside on your machine.

One thing notably lacking is the option to sync multiple folder locations. Competing services, such as SugarSync let users sync any folder on their computer. Dropbox unfortunately limits users to a single folder.  Thankfully Dropbox has acknowledged this limitation and is working on a solution since it was the most requested feature on their user-submitted feedback site, Votebox. Although there is no mention of a release date, we can only hope that it will be available soon.

Also highly requested on Votebox is file sharing permissions. Currently, every member of a shared folder has complete control over adding, modifying, or removing data. This feature would let the folder’s owner to limit certain members to “read-only” privileges. This tool is a necessity for business users or large groups who want to prevent accidental modifications or tampering. This feature is also in the pipeline.

While this is a major milestone for Dropbox, the company needs to continue to innovate to stay ahead of advancing competitors such as Box.net, SugarSync, and Windows Live Mesh. With a small footprint and a simple intuitive experience, Dropbox is still a favorite. Older versions of Dropbox will eventually auto-update to the latest version. However if you want to upgrade right away follow the link below. Version 1.0 will not disappoint.

Links: Dropbox.com | Blog Annoucement

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Set-Up Process:
Getting the USB speakers up and running is a very quick and easy task. The set-up required no more effort than plugging them into a computer’s USB port and switching them on. Some computers, however, ran into an issue where the system did not immediately detect the speakers. I had to use the control panel to switch audio cards settings to use the USB audio device in favor of the default card. After this one time set-up, there is no need to ever return to the control panel. From this point on it is very convenient to switch between various devices. If the speakers are on, audio plays back through them. When off, even if still plugged in, audio will playback as normal through your laptop’s built-in speakers. The only other major drawback might be the fact that most programs need to be restarted for it to detect the switched output device. For example, iTunes is unable to switch to the ZAGG speakers without closing and opening the program first. It is a minor inconvenience, but still removes the hassle of having to switch physical cables.

Style:
If simplicity is your taste, these speakers will be great. They are two glossy black slabs with nothing more than a small blue indicator light and a silver speaker grill on the front. A steel “U” shaped stand inserted into grooves on the back of the speakers holds them up. The back has nothing more than a power button, volume toggle, and the audio out port. The speakers stand out with their unusually tall body. The speakers are of excellent build quality without any signs of physical weakness. This also makes these speakers great travel companions; they are lightweight and will not break. Finally, the speakers feature one USB cable that draws power and audio from your computer, eliminating the hassle of having to carry around a power supply My one complaint is the length of the speaker-to-speaker audio cable. It’s so small that it hardly reaches across my 14 inch laptop. Fortunately, it’s a small problem that can be fixed with an audio extension cable, but it’s irritating to deal with.

Audio Quality:
In comparison to the average laptop speaker, these ZAGGs perform surprisingly well. They will not get as loud as a dedicated set of 2.1 stereo speakers would, but they are still impressive. I was glad to find that these do not crack at maximum volume either. Considering the size and the portability of the speakers, the bass is quite deep and will not leave you unsatisfied. If you are trying to playback music for a large room, these probably aren’t the best choice. However if you are looking for speakers to use while traveling, in a dorm room, or for a few friends to enjoy a show on Hulu, these are great. These are best used as a replacements or an upgrade for internal laptop speakers, nothing more. The fact that the speakers are USB does not necessarily translate to better audio quality, but simply greater convenience.

Overall:
The ZAGG speakers aren’t exactly extraordinary for their price. They get the job done when it comes to offering a quick upgrade to an internal set of laptop speakers, but nothing more than that. If you are willing to invest a little more money, you should consider superior alternatives from Creative or Logitech. Their speakers include a dedicated subwoofer and vastly improved audio quality for around the same price. However, keep in mind that ZAGG’s solution is one of the few USB solutions on the market. It also comes packed with a travel case, making it easy to lug around on a trip. For those ready to make the purchase, these speakers cost $35 on Amazon.

Buy: $35 on Amazon
Links: Zagg.com

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

PeekSocial
This app a quick way to view live feeds and set status updates on Facebook. After an easy set-up on on a computer’s browser, users will receive e-mails from Peek containing items from your news feed. The frequency of these emails is customizable from the online interface. To set status updates, there is an option from the main menu that provides a simple text entry box. The options and functionality are quite limited. There is no method for communicating with friends like with mobile Facebook applications. Peek does a great job at the no-frills functionality it does offer, but the feature should be seen as “read-only.” As all communication is text-based, it does feel restricting at times given its inability to view photos and videos, or follow links.  Despite the application’s shortcomings, setting status updates is quick and easy, and reading the feed is a great way of keeping up with friends while not getting distracted by the rest of Facebook. So while the application will definitely add greater functionality to the Peek, it can not replicate the experience true native online experience.

PeekFeed
RSS reader should be glad. This app brings RSS to the Peek and even aggregates Twitter feeds. In addition, it imports OPML files to simplify the transition from your current feed reader. The application definitely works toward bridging the lack of web browser. However, like the standard emailing features of Peek, there is no access to outside links or ability to view images. Some may see this as an issue, but, considering the main use of RSS feeds is simply to read articles, most users should have no problem. To deliver the news, there will be a “digest e-mail” containing all updates in the selected feeds. Digest messages offer configuration settings for specific days and time intervals, but have a limit of 10 maximum feeds. This can also be restricting for those power users who subscribe to dozens of various feeds. However, those who casually use RSS should have no problem narrowing down ten.

PeekMaps
This feature is more like a novelty than anything else. It share’s a user’s location with friends online by simply sending a link. The application’s only realistic use is its compatibility with Foursquare, a social networking tool which utilizes geo-location. Those who use Foursquare will find the application a great addition to their Peek. For everyone else, it will end up an unused and unnecessary feature.

AskPeek
Have a question? AskPeek. It’s a question and answer service. The application provides a very rudimentary method of obtaining weather, news, or local information compared to the features of today’s smartphones. Peek provides a number of various e-mail addresses such as weather-, news-, or local- @askpeek.com. Any Peek user can send a message requesting specific information in each category. Although it is tedious to email each various address to receive information, it works.  The service is very convenient for weather forecasts or finding a local address. Overall, it is a great addition for any Peek user.

Bottom Line
These applications are fitting complements to the Peek. They should not, however, be used as the deciding factor of the purchase. Although they provide added functionality, they do not alter the primary function of the device. The main use will still be email, and the device’s interface will remain the same. For those who already own a Peek, the applications will be a free bonus. Those who are considering buying a Peek should look more into the body, interface, and ease of use of the device before deciding. For more details on the Peek please read Skatter Tech’s in-depth review.

Links: Skatter Tech’s Full Peek Review | GetPeek.com

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Evernote is a digital note-taking application that hopes to rethink the traditional method of the pen and paper. The service offers the ability to turn a variety of media formats into notes, making it something of a mix between a scrapbook and a journal. The application organizes everything from essays, photos, to just random thoughts. While other competitors have failed due to proprietary technologies, Evernote succeeds with its cross-platform compatibility. The free price tag is tempting, but after a few days in use, there is a lot to say about whether the application is helpful or simply another hassle.

Compatible Platforms:

• Windows XP/Vista/7
• Mac OS X
• iPhone and iPad
• Android
• Blackberry
• Palm Pre and Pixi
• Windows Mobile

Desktop Application:

The desktop platform is by far the most powerful version, especially when compared to the mobile iterations. Although I’m using the Windows client, the Mac version is technically identical. The application offers the ability to create text-based notes as well as store web clips, computer screenshots, and to-do lists. Evernote also accepts files formats including image files, audio recordings, and PDFs. The application automatically organizes notes by running Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on all data. This enables all stored documents, including pictures of text, to be searchable. Browsing through notes is a simple task since everything is organized by date or name. Furthermore, the application lets you create multiple notebooks, which are essentially folders that can represent different parts of your life. I found the application helpful for jotting down quick notes during lectures and for saving images from the web.

While computers already offer the ability to organize and search through files, Evernote’s real value is in making data accessible. Cross-platform synchronization allows users with multiple devices to view or create files from just about anywhere. This leads me to my experience with the mobile iPhone App.

Mobile Application:
The free iPhone application took merely seconds to install, and offers scaled back desktop-like features. After launching the application, the user is presented the options of creating Text, Image, and Voice notes. While the iPhone App is somewhat limited with only these choices, other platforms such as Blackberry and Windows Mobile allow uploads of any file format. The OCR feature is once again a powerful tool since it can turn images into searchable text. Whether it is a quick snapshot of a business card or a passage from a book, Evernote will digitize everything into text. While it’s not very practical to type an essay on the iPhone’s small touch screen, it is convenient for viewing previously saved notes. The synchronization is a great feature especially because Apple’s included Notes App is not compatible with iTunes or any other desktop service. Evernote users will never need to email themselves files again due to the lacking features of the current iPhone OS.

Web Version:
While the desktop programs and mobile application are great tools, they are often limited to the devices you own. Evernote’s web interface solves that issue by making all your data available through any computer’s web browser with a single login. The web page is great for viewing content and creating notes. It also supports simple file uploads to the service. In addition, Evernote offers a convenient “secret email address” that will auto-import text and attachments that are sent to it. There’s also support for linking accounts with Twitter; however, it likely doesn’t have practical real-life use. This is due to the maximum character limits of Twitter.

Who is it for?
Evernote is not for everyone. Those who are already organized and have only one machine will find no value in it. The majority of people already use included tools such as browser bookmarks and simple folder structures to stay organized. I for instance use Microsoft Word for note taking and Dropbox to make my files accessible from multiple locations. Dropbox’s tight operating system integration across platforms is by far superior for simple file synchronization. However, Evernote does have an edge when it comes to storing quick webclips, voice memos, and photos containing text. The application makes it easy for just about anyone to get their digital life in order. For those who are disorganized and have multiple machines, Evernote will do wonders. In place of a messy desktop littered with temporary files users will have a single program with a convenient search bar.

The Bottom Line:
Evernote does an excellent job at what it claims to do. Features such as OCR are especially unique as well as quite accurate and helpful. Synchronization is usually quick, and the interface is easy to navigate. Unfortunately, it will not be replacing dedicated tools such as Microsft OneNote or Word anytime soon. Those who are unsure about whether Evernote will simplify their life can give it a shot without spending a penny. Keep in mind that there is also a premium version of the service which offers uploads of any file format and 500mb per month of storage. While this service did not suit my personal needs, others may find it a helpful tool. The entire package is put together neatly and will not disappoint.

Links: Evernote.com

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Extreme sport enthusiasts have had moments they’ve wished to capture on film whether it was the amazing ski-run or the the scene from a paraglider. Holding a normal camcorder is bulky, ties up one hand, and makes it harder to balance. Not to mention the dangers of damaging the camcorder or getting hurt. VholdR hopes to solve those issues with their new wearable ContourHD 1080p camcorder that can survive through the harshest of conditions.

A quick look at the VholdR’s website reveals recordings of the camera in action during base jumps, mountain biking, and backcountry ski trips. The ContourHD 1080p camera mounts onto just about anything: bike handlebars, ski helmets, goggles, or even cars. It is clear that this camcorder can go places that other 1080p camcorders can not. It sports a dual laser for alignment with a 180 degree rotating lens. This ensures a calibrated shot even if it’s mounted sideways. Unlike competitors such as the Go Pro Camera, the ContourHD does not look like a boxy point and shoot camera shoved in a waterproof case. Instead, it packed in a sleek and stylish black anodized aluminum body that’s shock resistant. VholdR claims that it can hold its own through snow and all types of debris. Plus, its not bulky either, it weighs just 4.3oz. To stay compact, the camcorder uses a microSD (16GB max) for storing recordings. One charge is expected to last for capturing 3 hours of content. The ContourHD is ready out of the box since it comes packed with a 2GB microSD card.

Removing gloves to fiddle with a tiny record button on a camcorder is always a hassle. Fortunately, the CountourHD camcorder has a large sliding switch on top to begin recording. This feature should come in handy to initiate recordings while moving. It allows sport enthusiasts to focus on what they do best and less about getting their camcorder to work. Other features include a fairly accessible switch to toggle between HD and SD mode to save space. VholdR’s included video editing software offers the ability to edit recordings too. It’s a complete package, all the tools to needed to record, save, and share videos online are included.

Even if you are not jumping off cliffs or doing backflips on your bike, the camcorder can still be used as handheld device due to its compact form factor. It is not limited to any one sport or situation. The ContourHD is available in 2 models; the standard ContourHD 720p and the ContourHD 1080p. They cost $250 and $330 respectively. Keep an eye out for Skatter Tech’s in-depth review in the coming weeks.

Buy: ContourHD for $250 | ContourHD 1080p for $330
Links: VholdR.com ContourHD

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9:00 AM – It’s started. Netgear’s sarcastic spokesperson is on stage

9:10 AM – New Stora NAS (network attached storage) device for remote access content. it can backup and centralize content. Works with any platform. iPhone, PC, Mac, etc. Sharing is damn easy! Easy to generate URL to share content. Modular interface offers expanding storage with matching HDDs. (RAID 1 Array) Premium paid services include support for Social Networks (Facebook uploads) and RSS Feeds for geeks. Even a digital photo frame that connects over WiFi to display content from NAS. Price Point $199 with 1TB HDD.

9:15 AM – Netgear mentions brand new video compression features. It keeps content looking HD-like, but compact enough to be transferred over networks. It’s named weirdly enough Zigxy. They let the audience test it. I was able to stream a HD video in a compressed format to my netbook running on a Sprint 3G modem. The claimed compression is of a 6.5 Mb/s stream. (It’s claimed to work as though you had 3x more bandwidth).

9:20 AM – Range MAX DualBand Wireless N Router. Best of CES of 2009 has received a refresh for this year with Netgear’s “Bridge Experience.” This new technology offers 4×4 wireless N MIMO along with 1080P streaming capabilities that will cover a 3000sq ft home with ease. This new product will be offered in the spring.

Refresh to update!

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We’re at the LG Press Conference and it’s packed. Only a few could make it in, but here’s what’s happening

8:12am - At the LG Press Conference

8:15am - LG announces world’s largest commercially available 15″ widescreen OLED 3.2mm TV

8:16am – Wireless HDMI with LG TVs

8:18am – Skype HD on LG HDTVs! It’s a quick accessory you plug into a compatible TV. There’s an embedded interface to view contact list and make HD 720p video calls. The demonstration failed as the internet connection was to slow.

8:19am – LG has first wireless Blu-ray player! They only had one HDTV with wireless HDMI last year. This year they have a much larger selection.

We’re updating images soon!

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The Setup
Just plug the card into your computer using the included USB card reader or your own. There’s a small application you’ll have to install on either your Macintosh or Windows machine. The program will take you through a quick setup process to configure your card for WiFi networks. Although the card will automatically connect to unsecured networks, you’ll have to plug it into a computer each time you want to configure it for secured ones. The card also automatically connects to Wayport public hotspots for free for an year with this model. (There are about 10,000 Wayport locations, e.g. McDonalds)

Online Management
It’s easy to customize the way your media is handled. Unlike the WiFi setup, where you need to physically insert it into a computer, most of the other settings are managed through Eye-Fi’s website. The web interface allows you to view media, enable geo-tagging, view geographical locations of photos on a map, and set upload notifications. It’s easy to enable uploading to photo sharing services such as Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, and a few more. There’s support for blogging platforms including Movable Type, TypePad, and VOX. For auto-uploads to printing services, Eye-Fi supports Costco, ShutterFly, SnapFish, and Walmart. And that’s not it, there’s plenty more. If you’re a bit of a geek, the Eye-Fi supports dropping image files straight into an FTP server and offers RSS feeds. It also downloads a copy to your computer if it has the Eye-Fi Manager installed.

Geotagging
The Eye-Fi embeds geotags into all your images. Many tools such as Flickr and Google Picasa offer viewing your images on maps. Unfortunately it doesn’t work as you might expect. As expected, it’s probably not possible to fit a real GPS module into a SD card. Therefore, the Eye-Fi uses WPS (Wi-Fi Positioning System) to find your location using nearby Wi-Fi networks. It works, but it’s not always entirely accurate. The company has partnered with Skyhook Wireless which has mapped out 70% of the United States with over 100 million wireless access points so the geotagging feature will work even without being connected to a wireless hotspot. As long as you are in range of a mapped wireless access point WPS should be able to get 20-30 meter accuracy of your location. From my own testing, I found that it was actually quite accurate. It was literally spot on.

Wireless Connectivity
The card worked great, but there are some issues that need to be mentioned. Since the WiFi chip inside is so small and very low powered, it doesn’t do so well when it comes to picking signal. While photos transferred rapidly when near an access point, it wouldn’t work as far away as other WiFi enabled devices did. For example, my laptop and mobile phone were able to connect to my access point, but the Eye-Fi card in my camera wasn’t able to get signal from the same spot. Another issue I faced was in regards to convenience. If you want to connect to a new secured access point, you’ll need to have a computer with you. Since it’s simply an SD card, your camera won’t have an interface to customize those settings. If you primarily use it in one location or happen to visit those compatible hotspots quite often, then it won’t be an issue.

Uploading and Notifications
As I mentioned before, there’s no interface on the camera to manage the Eye-Fi. The camera will only handle the image files. Therefore, there’s no indicator to let you know the status of upload progress. That means you won’t know when to turn your camera off. If you do turn it off during an upload, it will get interrupted, but will resume uploads once turned on. To slightly solve that issue, Eye-Fi provides the ability to receive Email notifications and SMS alerts for when uploads begin, get interrupted, resumes, or finishes. You can also opt-in to receive Twitter Direct Message notifications for the same actions. The only other way to view a live progress bar of uploads is if you are in front of your computer screen while snapping photos.

The Bottom Line
For the most part, the Eye-Fi can minimize the hassle of sharing and saving media. But it’s still a proprietary technology even though it uses a standardized WiFi network. It’s especially great for those who take a lot of photos in only a few locations. However keep in mind, you’ll likely find yourself coming back home to upload photos on your own network after a party since there’s no way to configure a secured network elsewhere without a computer. While it might sound like a niche market, that’s going to soon be changing. Devices such as Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-G3 have built-in WiFi and supports uploading to a similar variety of online uploading services. If other manufacturers start following that trend, which we might see this year at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, it’s hard to tell what it would mean for Eye-Fi since there wouldn’t be a need for their WiFi SD card. However, the fact remains, not everyone is going to go buy a new WiFi camera immediately and there’s no other way to enable WiFi for an existing camera with a gizmo such as the Eye-Fi.

While I reviewed the Explore Video model, there’s also 7 other offerings. Prices start at $50 for the lowest end version that can only upload photos to your own computer and has just 2GB of storage. Their best offering is the Pro version ($119) that offers all the same features that the Explore Video does, but adds extra support for RAW file uploads and Ad Hoc networks for professional photographers. If you have a decent camera, take a lot of photos, and don’t plan on upgrading anytime soon, the Eye-Fi will definitely go a long way to add a new refreshing feel to your current device.

Buy: Eye-Fi Explore Video for $92
Links: Eye.fi | Model Comparison Chart

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The interface is split up into two columns: inbound and unbound. The inbound column displays a syndicated feed of all email accounts, Facebook messages, wall posts, Twitter direct messages, and @mentions. You can also single out an email account and filter it by unread or starred messages. Emails can be deleted, starred, or even archived (for Gmail). Any changes made through Threadsy is reflected on the respective email service. For composing mail, Threadsy offers a rich text editor, the ability to send mail from any email account, and include attachments. When choosing a recipient, Threadsy auto-fills contacts from email accounts and even cross checks Facebook for profile pictures. Unfortunately Threadsy is unable to send Facebook messages from within the user interface at the moment, but will still redirect you to Facebook to compose the message. Overall, I was quite impressed by the organization and functionality of the email aggregation.

The second column, unbound, manages social networks. Threadsy only supports the two popular social networks at the moment: Facebook and Twitter. There is one feed that combines both Facebook status updates and tweets, but also has the option of filtering down to only one service. There’s support for multiple Twitter accounts as well. Threadsy allows updating both Facebook and Twitter statuses at once. From within the Threadsy interface you can view/leave comments and ‘like’ Facebook statuses. For Twitter you can retweet, reply, and favorite tweets. Clicking on a contact will display a combined profile page that displays a feed of both Facebook and Twitter updates.

In addition to the in and out bound columns, there is a chat bar at the bottom which uses Meebo. The bar stays out of the way of all other communication, but is convenient enough to access chat accounts at any time. It also supports using a universal status and customizing online/offline per account.

Keeping in mind that this service is still in beta, it still has some bugs. The team at Threadsy has done an incredible job of putting so many services into one functional page. It’s rare to see something useful fall into our radar with so many pointless start ups in the making. In the move towards cloud computing, Threadsy could very well be the future desktop email client. While I was skeptical to try this service at first, I have now begun to use Threadsy to manage all my online communication. While I do still experience occasional hiccups, those will hopefully be resolved with further development. This service has real potential and I look forward to see where the company will take it.

Threadsy is still in private beta, but I’ve got some invites to give away. (You’re welcome!) The first 10 people to click through this link will be able to sign up right away! Enjoy: http://bit.ly/4S4Etx

Links: Threadsy.com

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Since launch, Sony has advertised the PlayStation 3 as a household center for entertainment. In addition to Blu-Ray playback, Sony soon took it a step further with a few software updates giving it access to tons of Movies and TV Shows through the PlayStation Network Store. It even supports DLNA streaming to share music, photos, and videos between computers on your home network. Despite those features, it lacked something that Microsoft was able to put into the Xbox: Netflix Streaming.

Fortunately Sony has caught up with the times and has partnered with Netflix. They plan to offer PS3 owners and Netflix subscribers streaming access to their library as early as next month at no additional cost. This will be a great complement to their snail mail Blu-Ray rental service.  To enable your PS3 for the service, you’ll need to get a special free disc from Netflix that will enable the service. Let’s hope there will be more features such as this one coming down the line. Hulu please?

Links: Netflix.com/PS3

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With school starting just around the corner, students everywhere are looking to purchase new backpacks to start the year. We would like to thank JanSport was kind enough to provide us their Revolt day pack for this review. An important aspect of backpacks these days is included protection for laptops and electronics. And with that being said, it must be done without adding too much bulk or weight to make the bag uncomfortable to wear. The Jansport Revolt is fairly lightweight, looks great, and was spacious.

The day pack features the new “Biovent” padded shoulder straps and the “Ventech” cushioned back panel. This is essential for those who have longer commutes as it helps reduces strain and adds some comfort. Plus the design is suppose to improve airflow between you and the bag, to keep yourself cooler. After a few days of use, I actually have to say that I actually found it uncomfortable. I continued to use it for another week and breaking it in helped it become a lot better.  The bag weighs just under 2 pounds and can hold up to 2001.6 cu in, which is about the average size for a backpack. The Revolt also has adjustable chest and waist straps, to help transfer the weight.

The front of the pack has a bungee compression which allows holding something without using either of the main compartments, which is often great to keep something wet or dirty out of the innards. The Revolt has two large compartments and one small padded pocket for sunglasses. The main compartment has enough room to fit a 15.4” laptop which would also technically doubles as a sleeve for a water bladder. I would highly not recommend storing both a laptop and bladder in the same pouch for obvious reasons. This laptop sleeve, disappointingly, was very thin and offers literally no padding for protection. All it would do is keep the laptop from moving around inside. This was a major blow for the back pack. I would strongly suggest picking up a padded laptop sleeve or case to put your laptop into before throwing it into your Revolt backpack. Accessing the laptop pouch is fairly easy and can be plucked out within a few seconds. This is helpful especially at airport security when traveling. The second compartment has three small pockets, great for storing calculators, pens, and pencils. And if you happen to be a tech geek, it’s also great for dropping your flash drive, memory cards, portable hard drive, or cables into. Adding a zipped mesh or more pockets for further organization would have been an appreciated addition. There are slots for water bottles on both sides of the pack, which is great for both left and right handed people. These mesh pockets can easily double for storing an umbrella or laptop power supply.

The Revolt is a simple everyday pack. There are no exceptionally special features, but at the same time it does not lack any necessary element of a good backpack. There are some improvements that can be made on comfort. Despite begin advertised for holding laptops, which it does, it doesn’t protect them. There are also not enough divided pockets on the inside, which might be an issue for those who carry a lot of small things with them. Overall, for the average student heading back to school, it’s a great looking bag and has just about all the things one would need. And it’s durable enough to last for at least a couple of years. The bag is available in 4 colors; Blue Ridge, Black, Cilantro Green, Red Curtain. The JanSport Revolt is available for purchase today for about $75.

Buy: JanSport Revolt for $74.99 (no tax + ships free)
More Details: JanSport.com Revolt

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Installation: Time Consuming + Difficult
Getting the InvisibleSkinz film on the LG enV Touch isn’t a few minute job. It actually took us about 45 minutes to get everything installed properly. It comes with a few pieces of film, which was a bit of a puzzle to figure out which went where. (15 included pieces) Installing it requires using a “SHIELDspray” liquid solution, to be applied to both your hands and the film. One thing that may worry many is actually getting this liquid all over your device. I can assure, after installing this type of product on many devices, that using a proper amount of solution won’t cause any issues. Just be sure to avoid getting any solutions into any critical openings. If the device is off and allowed to dry for a couple hours after installation, there’s nothing to worry about. Applying the film was pretty difficult, you only have a short window of time to get it adjust to the right spot. If there are any bubbles caught between the film and the body of the phone, just squeeze them out with the included tool. There’s also a ton of smears and small particles making the entire thing look horrible after you finish. However if you wait patiently overnight or a day, most of those work themselves out.

Protection: Excellent
The InvisibleSkinz for the LG enV Touch offers an extraordinary amount of coverage. There are pieces for both displays, the sides of the phone, and the back. There’s not too much that’s left exposed to be concerned about. The material is about .2mm thick, making it durable enough to protect against even deep scratches. The material won’t start peeling off as you probably would see with other over the counter protective films.

Usability & Compatibility: Perfect
There was no aspect of my device that lost functionality after applying the screen protector and rear protective film. The headphone jack and charger port are completely left open for easy access. The touch screen display lost a small amount of sensitivity, however it’s well worth the trade off than having a nasty scratch. It should fit into any cases you may own as well.

Feel & Look: Excellent
It’s truly difficult to tell whether there’s anything even applied to the device with a quick glance. And that’s a good thing! It keeps all the original elements of the design of the LG enV Touch. Only after inspecting it for a second or two would you realize that there’s actually something protecting the device. There’s no noticeable bulk or weight that would be an issue. The phone feels just as it did without it.

Warranty & Replacement Policy: Excellent
InvisibleSkinz is actually an authorized retailer of ZAGG’s invisibleSHIELD. The item in this review would be the same item if purchased directly from ZAGG. Therefore the same warranty that ZAGG provides still applies. If you dissatisfied you can return it for a full refund in the first 30 days. If it gets scratched, torn, or damaged it has a life time warranty. All you have to do is mail it back to ZAGG in an envelope. They will send out a replacement at no cost. You can read Skatter Tech’s review of the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD for the iPhone 3GS for more info on our successful attempt to use the warranty.

Conclusion:
The InvisibleSkinz protective film for the LG enV Touch by ZAGG deserves a worthy mention. It’s well worth the investment for what it will do for your device in the long run. Keep in mind although this defends against scratches, it isn’t truly a replacement for what a case can do. A case can protect against physical damage such as a drop, which the protective film can not do. The best solution would be both the film and a case to truly prevent damage. If you wish to buy the InvisibleSkinz for your LG enV Touch, it’s available for purchase online today. Readers of Skatter Tech are eligible for a special 15% discount. That brings the price down to just $21 from the original $25. To redeem the offer, just key in the coupon code ’21849′  (without quotes) while proceeding through checkout.

Buy: InvisibleSkinz for LG enV Touch
Coupon Code: 21849

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LG enV Touch VX-11000 Specifications:

• Provider: Verizon Wireless (1.9 GHz /800 MHz CDMA)
• Displays: 3-inch 800 x 480 pixels & 1,600K colors
• Camera: 3.2 Megapixel Camera w/ Autofocus, Flash & Image Editor
• Music: MP3, WMA, Unprotected AAC/AAC+
• Memory: 250Mb (internal) / 16GB microSD (external)
• Battery: 260 Minutes Talk Time & 408 Hours Standby
• Other: Bluetooth 2.1+EDR | Stereo Speakers

The Body: 3.5/5 stars
There is no doubt that the enV Touch is a large phone; 4.5 inches tall, 2 inches wide, and over a half inch thick. Despite being a tad bit too large, it actually looks a whole lot more attractive than the Voyager and the Dare. The back of the phone features a soft rubberized texture with a unique engraved pattern which offers a decent grip. The left side has the camera trigger, volume toggle, and the display lock button. A 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD slot can be found on the right side. On the bottom you’ll find the microUSB connector which serves two purposes: charging and data transfer. The face of the phone has a large 3-inch touch screen and three “brushed metal”-looking physical buttons at the bottom: send, clear, and end. The clear key seconds as the voice command button when on the home page and initiates voice memo recordings when held down. When you flip open the phone you are introduced to another 3-inch display, stereo speakers, a full QWERTY keyboard, and a navigation D-pad. Compared to the Voyager, the keyboard now has larger keys and remains well spaced at the same time. LG has finally placed repositioned the “space bar” to the center of the keyboard instead of two “space bars” on the bottom left and right as they were on the LG Voyager, LG enV2, and LG enV. Overall, though the enV Touch isn’t the most compact phones I’ve had for what it offers, but remains functional and isn’t too large to fit into an average sized pocket or purse.

The Displays: 4/5 stars
We were quite impressed with the resolution and the colors of the displays. The enV Touch’s 800 x 480 pixel display has a higher resolution than the iPhone’s 480 x 320 pixel screen. Both photos and videos look great on both screens. The external display also uses a sensor that dims out the screen as you hold it up to your ear, but I found this to be sometimes problematic since it often didn’t turn back on if I were to try to use the interface during a call. The only way I managed to get the screen working again was to either flip open the phone or by placing my finger over the sensor for a second and then moving it away. Other than that small annoyance, the displays are bright, sharp, and even looks decent outdoors.

User Interface: 4/5
The enV Touch has a similar interface to the Voyager and like its predecessor, duplicates features on the external and internal display. However, not all features on the external work from the internal, and vice versa. For example, photo editing only functions on the external touch screen. To unlock the phone you must slide up an overlay on the screen or press the lock/unlock button on the side of the phone. The home screen has 5 permanent icons on the bottom: messaging, dialpad, menu, phonebook, and favorites. The favorites menu allows you to set 10 favorite contacts for quick access. In addition 3 “widgets” can be placed anywhere the main page; memo, calendar, and clock. The memo is very similar to a sticky note on a Macs. On the right side of the home screen there is an arrow which links to the shortcut menu, which manages all application/utility shortcuts. Mostly any tool on the phone can be placed in the shortcut menu or can also be placed as an icon on the homepage. The interface on the internal display has a more traditional interface, familiar to that most Verizon Wireless phones. The D-pad can be customized to launch various applications when on the home screen. One major problems I ran into occurred when an application on the internal display then closing the phone would exit out of the application and return to the home screen instead of moving to the outer display. Overall, the interface is very intuitive and for the most part it works seamlessly between the two displays.

Messaging: 5/5 stars
After many iterations of the enV lineup, LG has mastered the messaging feature of this phone. The physical keyboard does not need much of an explanation, it works as it should and feels great. The external display also supports messaging, with support for both a portrait and landscape virtual keyboard. The virtual portrait keyboard does the job just fine for quick responses, but is a bit impractical for typing long messages. The horizontal virtual keyboard works a whole lot better than the portrait and is a viable option. The interface enlarges the letters you hit as they are typed and provide haptic feedback as well. The size of each virtual key and spacing helps the usability experience as well, however the internal physical QWERTY keyboard is by far the best solution for messaging.

Camera & Camcorder: 5/5 stars
The enV Touch has an extremely feature packed camera and camcorder interface not found on other phones. The 3.2 megapixel camera can take photos up in various resolutions up to 2048×1536. It features an unusually bright LED flash, which can automatically turn on in low-light situations. The camera uses the auto-focus setting by default, but can be switched to macro for close-up images as well as a manual focus option. The camera has white balance, brightness, color effects, and self timer settings. In addition to these settings the camera has a couple of “goodies” that you will not see in the typical phone camera. One would be the panorama mode, where the phone will actually guide you through the process of snapping a panoramic photo with on screen instructions and then stitching them together. Another would be the smile detection, where the camera will only snap the photo only once the subject smiles to get the best picture. My favorite by far was the NameCard reader, which lets you snap an image of a physical business card and it uses OCR to extract the name, email, and phone number into your contacts. A built in image editor allows cropping, draw on the image, and adjusting the brightness of the photo.

The camcorder can record clips with a max resolution of 640×480 and offers custom white balance, brightness, and color effects. Most phone’s camcorder functions are rendered useless in the dark, but not the enV Touch. The camcorder can switch on the LED flash during a recording which turned out to help a lot. Finally, the enV Touch does a great job with video editing. One of the much hyped feature on iPhone 3GS was video trimming and this plus much more can be done on the enV Touch. The trim feature allows a simple crop, after choosing a start and end point. But say you wanted to cut together multiple parts of a video, that’s where the multi-trim feature comes in. You can cut together up to 3 different parts of a video (3 different start and end points) and the phone will merge these different parts together into one video. The camera in the enV Touch really stands out because of the depth of options presented and puts it clearly ahead of many other phones in the U.S. Market.

Music: 3.5/5 stars
The enV Touch was designed to work as a full time mp3 player with a set of  internal stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The music player is organized by Artists, Genres, and Albums. It can also display album artwork which looks good in its sincere imitation of “cover flow”. The player can create on-the-go playlists and manage music storage between the microSD card and internal memory. Music playback supports shuffle and repeat modes. For listening options, the Dolby settings allows you to toggle between preset equalizers, such as bass booster and classical. Audio playback on the speakers was clear with no crackle, even when turned up all the way. One of the features I liked the most was that music application can run in the background. Performing other tasks such as look up a contact or texting is possible without having to exit the music player. I decided to use my enV Touch when I went for a jog. I found it extremely difficult to use the external display to navigate through songs. In addition to the poor visibility due  to sunlight, it was difficult to even manage to click the next button or pause my music. Some external controls for music would have gone a long way. Overall the music player felt solid, keeps getting better, and usable but not polished, it needs to be put back in the oven for a bit longer.

Syncing: 4.5/5 stars
The enV Touch uses a standard microUSB port to connect to a computer. It can be used in data mode, which shows up as an USB Mass Storage Device on a computer and allows you to manually transfer photos, documents, and music to the microSD card. The other option is to use the phone in music mode, in which it can be synced with the Verizon V Cast Music with Rhapsody program or with Windows Media Player as an MP3 player. The charger is also modular, the AC adapter is actually a USB charger. The same cable needs to be disconnected and is used to sync with your computer. One small quirk I noticed was the fact that the phone significantly heated up while charging. It wasn’t too hot that I’d be concerned about the phone getting damaged, however constant heat isn’t good for batteries, meaning a reduced lifespan.

Document Viewer and Other Features: 4.5/5 stars
The phone offers many other features including the now standard world clock, tip calculator, and alarm clock. The one feature that stood out the most was the document viewer, an application not usually found on a non-smartphone. The viewer can read, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xslx, .ppt, .pptx, .pdf, and .txt files. The documents loaded fairly quickly and were fairly readable once zoomed in. I found using the Document Viewer more pleasurable than the iPhone. Mainly since I could simply copy them straight over to the phone’s storage or microSD, rather than having to email them to myself as you have to do on the iPhone.

Conclusion:
After using the enV touch for a few weeks, it has left us with a very good impression. I would say as of now, it is the best non-smartphone on the Verizon Wireless network. It has an amazing display, two displays to be correct,  and excellent media features. It supports a full HTML web-browser, VZ Navigator, V-Cast videos, voice commands, and text to speech. If you are looking for a new phone and just can’t justify paying those required high rates for data plans associated with smartphones, the enV Touch is a no brainier. It has a solid set of features that just about everyone from a casual consumer to a tech-junkie can appreciate. It is available online and in Verizon Wireless stores now for $150 for new customers. Existing customers eligible for upgrade should be able to knock off about $50 to $100 based of the type of calling plan they currently have.

Buy: $99 for LG enV Touch
Links: Verizon Wireless

Copyright © 2013 Skatter Tech, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions. Privacy Policy.

Every bluetooth headset hitting the market today seems to be getting new wild features, for example an LCD display for Caller ID. All the average consumer honestly needs is the ability to talk. foneGear has taken this approach with their Mini Blue (fG876) lightweight headset with no unnecessary extras. The Mini Blue isn’t exactly the most innovative feature-packed unit, but it’s simple and it works!

foneGear Mini Blu (fG976) Specs:

• Battery: 4 hrs talk | 75 hrs idle
• Range: 30 foot wireless range
• Wireless: Bluetooth 2.0 EDR+
• Weight: 0.4 oz (11g)
• Charger: AC Adapter

The layout of the Mini Blu is as simple as it can get. It’s got a multi-function button on the front which acts as the talk/end button as well as turns on/off the unit. On the side, you’ll find a plus and minus button to control the volume level. The volume down key doubles as the redial button as well as the mute control. Even after testing the headset with multiple phones, we still had issues getting the redial and mute functions to work properly. An LED indicator can be found on the front, which lights up red while charging and flashes blue while it’s on. The audio quality was decent, but not too great. The audio would crackle and the listener would also have a hard time hearing us if we turned up the volume too high. Despite this, the quality of voice calls on the Mini Blu is more than enough for most consumers.

The headset can be worn on either ear and was quite comfortable. The actual speaker portion is surrounded by a soft rubber, therefore will be easy on the ear even after hours of use. The headset is fastened to your ear with a thin plastic around-the-ear hook. With this hook, it is close to impossible for the headset to fall off even if you are actively moving. This can not be said for other headsets we’ve reviewed such as the Samsung WEP200, which is quite hard to keep in place.

In the package, you’ll find that foneGear includes the Mini Blu headset, a ear hook, and the charger. This isn’t exactly a high-end headset, but is a solid performer and is great budget headset. The fG976 Mini Blu is available on foneGear’s website for just $20! At that price, there shouldn’t be any complains for what this does offer. This is a great headset for teens and first time buyers. (Even works with the PS3!) And as we mentioned previously it does exactly what its suppose to do, allow making voice calls. If you are looking for a better headset, we suggest checking out our review of the Jabra BT5020. As for the Mini Blu it is available for purchase online.

Links: foneGear Mini Blu
Related: Jabra BT5020 Review

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This month Wii owners will rejoice with the arrival of four highly anticipated games. We are looking forward to how games like The Godfather: Blackhand Edition will work with the Wii controls. The PS3 will face some great games like Oblivion and Rainbow Six: Vegas this month, but unfortunately rather than MotorStorm they are all ports from the Xbox 360. Finally on the Xbox 360 we are looking forward to Armored Core 4.

Wii:

• Medal of Honor Vanguard – EA
• Prince of Persia: Rival Swords – Ubisoft
• The Godfather: Blackhand Edition - EA
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 – EA

PlayStation 3:

• MotorStorm - SCEA
• F.E.A.R - Vivendi Games
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Bethesda Softworks
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas – Ubisoft

Xbox 360:

• Def Jam: Icon – EA
• Virtua Tennis 3 – SEGA
• Armored Core 4 – Sega of America

Game Lists: Nintendo Wii | Sony PS3 | Microsoft Xbox 360
Related: Upcoming PS3, Wii, & 360 Games: Feburary

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Apple released the new 2nd generation iPod Shuffle last month. Many have complained that the unit is too small, making it quite easy to drop. Although the shuffle has been proven to withstand occasional drops, since it is an item that is constantly handled, we still would recommend purchasing a case. Proporta was generous enough to provide Skatter Tech with three of the iPod Shuffle cases they recently released: steel sleeve, crystal sleeve, and silicone sleeve. (continue reading for a 10% off coupon code)

Protection:
All three of the cases protect the front and sides of the iPod Shuffle. In addition, the crystal and silicone sleeves protect the top and bottom. The silicone sleeve is the only one of the three that also protects the click-wheel. The steel sleeve has an inner lining of foam to prevent scratching the unit and is the strongest. Despite this, we would still rate the silicone sleeves to offer the best protection for your iPod Shuffles.

The steel sleeve has a neat and tight fit around the iPod Shuffle giving it a new expensive and stylish look, while the other two do just the opposite. The clear crystal sleeve looks a bit cheap, easily traps dust, and shows scratches. The silicone sleeve captures even more dust and has a considerably large Proporta logo on the front, destroying the simplicity. Of the three the steel sleeve is, by far, the best looking case.

Currently available colors. Steel: black, blue, chrome, green, pink, purple, red, silver, and white. Crystal: black, blue, clear, pink, and red. Silicone: black, blue, pink, and white.

Usability:
All cases have openings to allow access to all necessary buttons and ports. Although the cases don’t affect the actual usability of the Shuffle, they do create one major flaw. Because the sleeves wrap around the iPod, they no longer can be placed into the provided dock unless removed. Removing the case constantly may become somewhat of a hassle for those constantly sync or charge their iPod Shuffle. We do not know if it is possible due to the current design of the dock, but Proporta should consider including some sort of adaptor to save users the trouble.

Although the silicone sleeve does the best job of protecting the iPod, our favorite case was the steel sleeve. We suggest purchasing some type of case for the Shuffle since it’s so tiny. Each of the three models will cost $8.95. Although it may seem a bit expensive for such a small piece of material, it’s still a good price considering the $80 iPod it protects. Unfortunately the cases are currently not available through the online Apple Store, but can be purchased directly from Proporta’s website (proporta.com). Finally (what you’ve been waiting for) since since you have read the Skatter Tech review, you are welcome to use ‘SKATTERTECH’ during checkout for a 10% discount on any of the cases mentioned above.

If you know of any other better cases/sleeves for the 2nd gen iPod Shuffle leave us a note in the comments. Also check back for a review of Proporta’s 2nd gen iPod Nano Case!

Links: Proporta.com | Steel | Crystal | Silicone
Coupon Code: SKATTERTECH (10% discount)
Related: Agent 18 iPod Nano Shock Shield

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